Meet the Hikers: Conquering the Canyon

Conquering the Canyon is a Rim‑to‑River Grand Canyon hike, hosted by burn survivor and former ABF Board Chair Jason Nelson, where participants take on one of nature’s toughest challenges to raise funds and awareness for burn survivors and their families.

Each step of this journey is fueled by purpose. Meet the ten incredible hikers taking on Conquering the Canyon to support burn survivors and their families—and the powerful “why” that drives each of them forward.

They come to this challenge from different places: burn survivors who know the road firsthand, longtime supporters and volunteers, board leaders, fire department personnel turned camp counselors, and advocates who show up when it matters most. Together, they represent the strength, compassion, and community behind the Arizona Burn Foundation—and each carries a deeply personal reason for stepping into the canyon.

Nine individuals. Nine powerful reasons. One shared commitment to burn survivors and their families.

Jason
A burn survivor and former ABF Board Chair and member, Jason has seen the foundation’s impact from both the hospital bed and the boardroom. This challenge reflects his lifelong commitment to restoring hope and empowering survivors to thrive.

Jessica
Injured at 20, Jes spent years identifying as a burn victim before finding community with ABF. Through camps, volunteering, and purpose, she reclaimed her identity as a survivor—and now hikes so others can find that same path to thriving.

Christine
After 36 years as a paralegal working alongside burn survivors, Christ has seen firsthand how critical ABF’s support is. She’s hiking to help survivors heal—physically and emotionally—long after the hospital stay ends.

Joe
A burn survivor himself, Joe credits the Arizona Burn Foundation with helping him not only recover but truly thrive. This hike is his way of giving back to the organization that supported him from childhood into adulthood.

Tami
A burn survivor and single mom, Tami knows how long and overwhelming recovery can be. After being unable to complete the full hike last year, she’s returning stronger — determined to prove to herself and to other survivors that healing doesn’t mean the end of hard things.

Eric
A lifelong hiker and ABF board member, Eric believes burn survivors deserve more than survival—they deserve community, dignity, and hope. This hike mirrors the resilience survivors live every day, one step at a time.

Buzz
With a long career with the Sedona Fire Department and more than 25 years of witnessing ABF’s impact, Buzz has walked alongside survivors as they overcome obstacles and find their strength. He supports ABF because the work is needed—and because it works.

Jennifer
A longtime supporter of ABF, Jennifer is taking on this physical and mental challenge to give back to an organization that shows up for survivors during their hardest moments. Every mile she hikes is fueled by the belief that no survivor should walk alone.

Breanne
Inspired by friends whose recovery journeys reflect incredible resilience, Breanne is hiking to help provide hope, care, and resources to burn survivors and their families when they need it most.

How You Can Help

These nine hikers are putting in the miles—but they can’t do this alone. Your support helps the Arizona Burn Foundation provide critical programs, financial assistance, emotional support, and lifelong community for burn survivors and their families.

Every donation, share, and word of encouragement fuels this journey and helps turn survival into thriving. Please consider supporting a hiker or the team as they work to Conquer the Canyon—one meaningful step at a time.

A heartfelt thank you to Conquering the Canyon sponsor Cunningham Law Firm and partners K2 Adventure Travel and K2 Adventures Foundation for your unending support.